Happy to find use in a spell which I have never seen used in play.

[Lodow MoBo]

Reduce.

So I always like to evaluate spells which are never used. I figure that there is hidden value in them. So my latest revelation is Reduce.

This spell is primarily useful for removing reach from large opponents. The Side effect to this you give that opponent +2 AC and -1 to dmg. It's a little bit of a wash.

Now take my small gnome sorcerer. If he is reduced he is shifted to tiny. Now Tiny creatures and move into occupied squares. In fact the natural way a tiny create fights is to move into its opponent's square. They then both fight without penalty.

It seems to me that I can move through the battlefield and share squares with my friends. This makes cones and line spells much more effective in hallways and enclosed areas.

I have also gained +2 to my AC and -1 to my melee dmg.

For a small spell caster it seems like a pretty good first level spell now.

 

[frankthedm]

Not like you would have been able to oppose grapple anyway.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

My last halfling wizard took Escape Artist as a skill. If Reduce gives a Dex bonus, it can only help.

And I took high Concentration and Silent Dimension Door for when I can't escape and am being grappled by a silent monk or fighter.

 

[pawsplay]

You can also use it on Small creatures to take away their threatened squares. It's also handy for eliminating access to feats such as Awesome Blow, Powerful Charge, and Large and in Charge.

 

[moritheil]

Even if your opponent gains +1 attack when reduced, its damage dice should decrease as a result of wielding a smaller weapon, so it's not so much of a wash.

 

[Marshall]

Not like you would have been able to oppose grapple anyway.

Yes, but you become immune to grapple from Large and Larger critters. Not bad.

 

[lukelightning]

The problem with reducing an enemy is that it's a fort save; and anyone you're likely to want to shrink is probably tough with a fort save to match.

Plus, if you are banking on the guy failing his save, you might as well cast color spray.

And you can only cast it on humanoids; no making the ogre medium and taking away its reach.

 

[Grymar]

Reduce + Waterbreathing + Invisibility was used in one of my games to sink a ship. No, they didn't reduce the ship, just a few of the boards on the underside of the hull.

 

[lukelightning]

Reduce + Waterbreathing + Invisibility was used in one of my games to sink a ship. No, they didn't reduce the ship, just a few of the boards on the underside of the hull.

You do know that the spell is reduce person, not reduce planks, right?

 

[Grymar]

You do know that the spell is reduce person, not reduce planks, right?

My mistake, it was Shrink Item.

Move along folks, ignore the idiot.